Traffic volume
Traffic volume is how much traffic passes a given point on a road. The standard measure is årsdøgntrafikk (ÅDT), the Norwegian annual average daily traffic figure: the total traffic through a cross-section or on a traffic link during a calendar year, divided by the number of days in the year. The figure counts both directions added together. 219,000 passages a year therefore equals an ÅDT of 600.
Practice distinguishes between total ÅDT and ÅDT-T, where the latter covers heavy vehicles (vehicle classes 5 to 9 under HB R412). ÅDT-T governs the road's design, the wear rate of the surface and the load-bearing requirements. On the main road network, the data comes from continuous measurements by induction loops and radar-based counting stations. For municipal and county roads, short manual or automatic counts over a few weeks are often used, and the figure is then projected to an annual daily average using a regional traffic model.
The dataset is owned by Statens vegvesen and published openly under the NLOD licence through the Trafikkdata service and as a layer in Nasjonal vegdatabank (NVDB). ÅDT is used for, among other things:
- noise calculations under guideline T-1442
- air quality assessments under T-1520
- capacity analyses in Vissim or Aimsun
- traffic forecasts in environmental impact assessments
- the basis for sequencing provisions on road improvements and public transport services
For a site or development case, ÅDT is one of the first figures to be obtained. High traffic volume close to a site affects what can be built there: a noise barrier, a set-back from the façade, or specific air quality measures may be required. Traffic analyses are often required as an appendix to the zoning plan when a new project will generate a lot of new traffic.
In Placepoint, roads and infrastructure are shown as map layers, and the noise zones that rest on the same ÅDT figures sit as a separate layer.
How the dataset appears on the map
The dataset is part of the map layer Transport and communications as Traffic volume:
From Placepoint's dictionary: Traffic volume
More information: Statens vegvesen: Trafikkdata, Store norske leksikon: Årsdøgntrafikk
English: Traffic volume (annual average daily traffic, AADT).
Filtering
The filter limits results by ÅDT Total, Applies to year and Length at location.
Frequently asked questions
What is traffic volume and ÅDT?
Traffic volume is measured in årsdøgntrafikk (ÅDT), which is the total traffic through a road cross-section divided by the number of days in the year. Statens vegvesen maps this on an ongoing basis.
Why does traffic volume matter for housing development?
High traffic volume generates noise and pollution, which affects the scope for housing development close to the road. Noise zone mapping is based in part on ÅDT data and traffic forecasts.
Where do I find traffic volume data?
Traffic volume data is available through Statens vegvesen's road map and NVDB (Nasjonal vegdatabank). Placepoint shows infrastructure and road data as map layers.
When is a traffic analysis required in a development case?
Traffic analyses are required for many development projects, to document that new development does not cause an unacceptable increase in traffic without the necessary road capacity being in place.
What does traffic volume affect in planning?
Traffic volume affects noise conditions, air quality, the need for walking and cycling infrastructure and sequencing provisions tied to road capacity, among other things. It is a key factor in planning new homes.